Vein stripping device

ABSTRACT

A vein stripping device  1  includes a catheter  2  for insertion into a vein  10  to be removed. The catheter  2  has a proximal region  3  adjacent a proximal end  4  of the catheter  2  and a distal region  5  adjacent a distal end  6  of the catheter  2 . The catheter  2  is open at the distal end for passage of blood through the catheter from the distal end. The catheter  2  has a plurality of vein grippers  15, 16  at least along the distal region  5  for gripping a length of the vein  10  to the catheter  2 . The vein grippers include a plurality of holes and/or gripping features  15, 16  spaced-apart along the wall of the catheter  2.

INTRODUCTION

The invention relates to a device for stripping blood vessels such asveins. In particular, the invention relates to stripping the longsaphenous vein in the treatment of varicose veins.

To strip the long saphenous vein it is known to use open keyholetechnique surgery in which the groin is opened and the long saphenousvein is disconnected from the common femoral vein. It is also known touse a ball wire device. This is inserted through the incision at thegroin and pulled through the incision above or below the knee,accumulating the vein on the ball as it is reamed through. Thisprocedure is successful in that it completely removes the vein. Howeverrecovery is traumatic and slow as nerve and tissue damage areunavoidable with extensive bruising and eccymosis. In addition, when avein is being removed in this manner blood will seep into thesurrounding tissue. Once the blood leaves the environment of a bloodvessel it will clot and is very difficult to remove. The blood thenbecomes a cause of inflammation and irritation.

One problem with other known devices for stripping veins is that in somecases the vein accumulates then folds over the accumulated mass and thenshreds. When the vein shreds in this manner part of the vein may remainwithin the limb. This residual part of the vein which is left behindcauses swelling and pain and may eventually reconstitute into a fullsaphenous vein. A second procedure is often required to remove theremainder of the vein within the limb. Tissue and nerves may be damagedduring this second pass as there is no defined pathway through which topass the device.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a vein stripping devicecomprising a catheter for insertion into a vein to be removed, thecatheter having a proximal region adjacent a proximal end of thecatheter and a distal region adjacent a distal end of the catheter, thecatheter having a plurality of vein gripping means at least along thedistal region.

In one aspect of the invention the catheter is open at the distal endthereof for passage of blood through the catheter from the distal end.

In another aspect of the invention the catheter comprises an outertubular member and an inner tubular member which extends through atleast the distal region of the catheter. In one embodiment the cathetercomprises support rib means extending between the inner tubular memberand the outer tubular member.

The support rib means may comprise a plurality of ribs extending betweenthe inner and outer tubular members.

In one case the support rib means divides the lumen between the innerand outer tubular members into separate chambers.

In one embodiment the distal end of the inner tubular member is steppedback from the distal end of the outer tubular member.

In a preferred embodiment the distal end of the catheter is distallytapered.

The device may comprise an inner tubular member which extends to thedistal end of the catheter. In this case the device may comprise supportrib means between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular memberand the rib means is distally tapered.

In one embodiment the outer diameter of the distal region of thecatheter is uniform.

In another aspect of the invention the vein gripping means is movable.The vein gripping means may be movable in response to a vacuum beingapplied to at least the distal region of the catheter.

In one embodiment the vein gripping means is pivotally movable relativeto the catheter.

The Movable vein gripping means may be integral with the catheter.

In one embodiment the jaws of the vein gripping means define an entryslot for engagement with a vein. The entry slot may face towards theproximal end of the catheter. The rib may be cut-away inwardly in theregion of the vein gripping means.

In one embodiment the gripping means extends on either side of a rib.

In one aspect the vein stripping device comprises:

-   -   a proximal tube connected to the proximal region of the        catheter;    -   a blood collecting housing;    -   the proximal tube extending through the blood collecting        housing;    -   a plunger which is movable through the housing to generate a        vacuum in the catheter; and    -   a plunger tube connected to and extending proximally of the        plunger, the plunger tube having an opening through which blood        from the proximal tube passes into the chamber proximally of the        plunger.

In one embodiment a first handle is connected to the plunger tube and asecond handle is connected to the housing, one of the handles beingmoved relative to the other handle to move the plunger through thehousing. A movable handle may be moved towards the other handle to movethe plunger through the housing.

In another aspect the vein stripping device comprises a non return valvemeans for venting of the catheter.

The non return valve means may be normally open and is closed onoperation of the plunger.

In a further embodiment, the catheter comprises an outer tube and aninner tube, the inner tube being movable relative to the inner tube. Theinner tube may be a close fit within the outer tube. In one case theinner tube comprises a plurality of holes and the outer tube comprises aplurality of holes, the tubes being movable relative to one another froman insertion configuration in which the holes in the outer tube areoccluded by the inner tube to a stripping configuration in which theholes in the outer tube are aligned with the holes in the inner tube.

In another aspect the invention provides a vein stripping devicecomprising a catheter for insertion into a vein to be removed, thecatheter having a proximal region adjacent a proximal end of thecatheter and a distal region adjacent a distal end of the catheter, thecatheter having a plurality of vein gripping means at least along thedistal region for gripping a length of the vein to the catheter, thecatheter comprising an outer tube and an inner tube, the inner tubebeing movable relative to the inner tube. The inner tube may be a closefit within the outer tube. The inner tube may comprise a plurality ofholes and the outer tube comprises a plurality of holes, the tubes beingmovable relative to one another from an insertion configuration in whichthe holes in the outer tube are occluded by the inner tube to astripping configuration in which the holes in the outer tube are alignedwith the holes in the inner tube.

In a further aspect the invention provides a vein stripping devicecomprising a catheter for insertion into a vein to be removed, thecatheter having a proximal region adjacent a proximal end of thecatheter and a distal region adjacent a distal end of the catheter, thecatheter having a plurality of vein gripping means at least along thedistal region wherein the catheter comprises an outer tubular member andan inner tubular member which extends through at least the distal regionof the catheter.

In a still further aspect the invention provides a method of stripping avein comprising:

-   -   inserting a catheter having an open distal end into a vein;    -   applying a vacuum to the catheter to draw blood from the vein        into the catheter;    -   gripping the vein to the outer surface of at least the distal        end of the catheter; and    -   pulling the catheter proximally to remove the vein.

In one embodiment the method comprises turning the catheter to twist thevein before and/or during pulling of the catheter.

The vein may be a saphenous vein.

In another aspect the invention provides a vein stripping devicecomprising a catheter for insertion into a vein to be removed, thecatheter having a plurality of vein gripping means at least along adistal region of the catheter wherein the catheter comprises a kinematicvein gripping means. In one embodiment a grip feature is displaced inuse of the device (for example when suction is applied) into a grippingposition. The displacement may be a kinematic displacement.

In one embodiment the device comprises means for drawing blood throughthe catheter from the distal end.

The means for drawing blood through the catheter from the distal end maycomprise a vacuum generating means.

In one embodiment the device comprises a proximal housing for storage ofblood.

As the catheter is inserted blood is allowed to vent freely through thecatheter as it is being inserted. A non-return valve in the systemfacilitates this.

In one embodiment the catheter comprises an outer tubular member and aninner tubular member which extends through at least the distal region ofthe catheter. In one case the catheter comprises support rib meansextending between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member.The support rib means may comprise a plurality of ribs extending betweenthe inner and outer tubular members.

In one embodiment the support rib means comprises a plurality of ribsextending between the inner and outer tubular members.

In one case the support rib means divides the lumen between the innerand outer tubular members into separate chambers.

In one embodiment the distal end of the inner tubular member is steppedback from the distal end of the outer tubular member.

The outer diameter of the distal region of the catheter may be uniform.

The wall thickness of the catheter may be distally tapered at the distalend thereof.

In one embodiment the vein gripping means do not extend radiallyoutwardly of the outer circumference of the catheter.

In one case the vein gripping means comprises a hole in the catheter.

The vein gripping means may comprise engagement means for engagementwith a vein wall. In one case the vein engagement means comprises jawsfor engagement with a vein. The jaws may be adapted to engage with avein in response to movement of the catheter in the proximal direction.

The jaws may define an entry slot for engagement with a vein. The entryslot may face towards the proximal end of the catheter.

In one case the jaws are biased towards a vein engagement configuration.

The gripping means may extend on either side of a rib. The rib may becut-away inwardly in the region of the vein gripping means.

The internal ribs structurally reinforce and strengthen the vein gripfeatures.

In one embodiment the vein stripping device comprises guide means overwhich the inner tubular member travels.

In one case the outer tubular member has an exit port for the guidemeans. The exit port may be distal of the proximal end of the catheter.In one case the inner tubular member extends to the exit port.

In one embodiment the guide means comprises a guidewire.

The guide means may comprise a hollow lumen. In this case the guidemeans may contain an anaesthetic and/or a pharmaceutical.

In one embodiment the vein stripping device comprises vacuum generatingmeans for drawing a vein into the vein gripping means. The vacuumgenerating means for drawing a vein into the vein gripping means may bethe same as the vacuum generating means for drawing blood through thecatheter.

In one embodiment the vacuum generating means comprises a plunger whichis movable to draw a vacuum.

In one case the plunger is movable through the catheter from the distalend towards the proximal end.

There are several methods for moving the plunger through the catheter.In one case the plunger is located at the distal end of the catheter andhas a tension line attached which runs to the proximal end the tensionline can be drawn by:

A rack and pinion system can be attached to the handle whereby when thehandle is pushed or pulled as a rack mechanism it causes a pinion andwheel to rotate which reels in the plunger. For a balanced movement offour wheels pull four tension lines simultaneously.

A coiled leaf spring may be released to cause a wheel to rotate whichwill reel in the tension line at a predetermined rate.

The plunger may also be retracted through the catheter by the othermethods of drawing a vacuum described herein. When retracted in thismanner there is no need for a tension line. The rate of retraction isinfluenced by the coefficient of friction between the plunger and thebody of the catheter along with the intensity of the vacuum.

The vacuum generating means may comprise a vacuum chamber in which theplunger is mounted, the plunger having a handle for drawing the plungerthrough the chamber. The handle may be movable proximally to draw avacuum.

In one embodiment the vein gripping means comprise a plurality of holesand/or a plurality of grip features which may amount to a texturing ofthe entire surface of the catheter with gripping spaced-apart along thewall of the catheter. The holes may be longitudinally spaced-apart alongat least the distal region of the catheter. At least some of the holesmay be radially spaced-apart in the catheter wall.

In one embodiment the device comprises vein detaching means at a distalend of the catheter. In one embodiment the device has no means ofpiercing or severing the vein. The vein is gripped substantially alongits length and is detached by means of pulling or tensile force.

In one embodiment the catheter is of non-circular shape in transversecross section. The catheter may be oval in transverse cross section.

The vacuum generating means may comprise a port for connection to avacuum generating system. Alternatively the vacuum generating meanscomprises a plunger. In one case the vacuum generating means comprises asyringe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription thereof given by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vein stripping device according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is another isometric view of the device;

FIG. 3 is another isometric view of the device with one type of guidemeans in place;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a distal end of the device of FIGS. 1 to3 being inserted into the long saphenous vein;

FIGS. 5 to 11 are isometric views illustrating various stages instripping the long saphenous vein using the device of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a distal region of a vein strippingdevice;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view on the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an end view in the direction of the arrow XV in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of one vein gripping feature of the device;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are respectively isometric and cross sectional views onthe line A-A of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are respectively isometric and cross sectional views onthe line B-B of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are respectively isometric and cross sectional views onthe line C-C of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 23 to 26 are isometric views of a distal region of vein strippingdevices with alternative vein gripping features;

FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the catheter of another vein strippingdevice of the invention;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged isometric view of a distal region of thecatheter;

FIG. 29 is an isometric view of a distal end of another catheter;

FIG. 30 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the distal end of thecatheter of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is an elevational, partially cross sectional view of the distalend of the catheter of FIGS. 29 and 30 being inserted into a vein;

FIGS. 32 to 34 are cross sectional views of the vein stripping device invarious stages of use;

FIG. 35 is an isometric view of a vein gripped by the vein strippingdevice;

FIG. 36 is an isometric view illustrating the pulling of the vein whengripped by the vein stripping device and the partial inversion of thevein;

FIG. 37 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 36 illustrating furtherinversion of the vein;

FIG. 38 is an isometric view of the vein almost completely inverted;

FIG. 39 is an isometric, partially cut-away view of part of another veinstripping catheter;

FIGS. 40 and 41 are cross sectional views illustrating the device ofFIG. 39 in different positions of use;

FIG. 42 is an isometric view of another vein stripping catheter in oneconfiguration;

FIG. 43 is a cross sectional view of portion of the catheter of FIG. 42with a vein in position;

FIG. 44 is an isometric view of the vein stripping catheter of FIG. 42in a vein gripping configuration;

FIG. 45 is a cross sectional view of portion of the catheter of FIG. 44with a vein in position;

FIG. 46 is a cross sectional view of a distal tip of another veinstripping device of the invention;

FIG. 47 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 46 inserted intoa vein;

FIG. 48 is an isometric, partially cut-away view of the device of FIGS.46 and 47 in use;

FIG. 49 is a cross sectional view of a proximal region of a veinstripping device;

FIGS. 50 to 53 are cross sectional views of a proximal movable end ofthe device at various stages during vein stripping;

FIG. 54 is an isometric partially cross sectional view of a vacuumgenerator for the device;

FIGS. 55 to 58 are cross sectional views of an alternative proximalmovable end of a vein stripping device at various stages during veinstripping;

FIG. 59 is an isometric partially cut-away cross sectional view of avacuum generator for the device in one position;

FIG. 60 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a valve feature of thedevice of FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a view similar to FIG. 59 with the device in another positionof use;

FIG. 62 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a valve feature of thedevice of FIG. 61,

FIG. 63 is an enlarged cut-away view of the device of FIGS. 59 to 62;

FIG. 64 is an isometric, partially cut-away view of another vacuumgenerating system;

FIG. 65 is an isometric view of a distal end of another vein strippingdevice of the invention;

FIG. 66 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 65, in use;

FIGS. 67 to 72 are isometric views of part of outer catheters used inthe device of the invention;

FIG. 73 is a cross sectional view of a distal end of another veinstripping device of the invention in one configuration of use wherebyvein gripping features on an outer tube are occluded by an inner tube;

FIG. 74 is a cross sectional view of the distal end of the device ofFIG. 73 in another configuration of use whereby holes on the inner tubeare aligned with the holes on the outer tube;

FIGS. 75 to 77 are cross sectional views illustrating the distal end ofthe device of FIG. 73 in various positions of use;

FIGS. 78 and 79 are cut-away isometric views another proximal actuatingmeans of the device;

FIGS. 80 and 81 are cut-away isometric views of an alternative proximalactuating means;

FIGS. 82 and 83 are isometric and partial cross sectional viewsillustrating one means of applying vacuum at a proximal end of thedevice;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view of a device with an alternative vacuumgenerating system;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a vein stripping device 1according to the invention. In this specification the term catheter isused to denote a tube or a lumen.

The vein stripping device 1 of the invention comprises a catheter 2 forinsertion into a vein such as a saphenous vein 10 to be removed. Thecatheter 2 has a proximal region 3 adjacent a proximal end of thecatheter and a distal region 5 adjacent a distal end 6 of the catheter.The catheter has a plurality of vein gripping means 9 at least along thedistal region 5 for gripping a vein 10 to the catheter.

A vacuum is in this case used to draw the vein 10 against the veingripping means 9 when the device is in the stripping configuration.Blood is also drawn out of the vein 10 at this stage. Blood may be drawnfrom the vein 10 as the device is being inserted into the vein 10. Whena vein is gripped by the gripping means 9 the device is then pulled atthe proximal end so that the vein 10 is distended and detached at eitherthe distal tip of the device or at some point further along the lengthof the vein 10. The vein 10 is gripped to the catheter substantiallyalong the length thereof Pulling the catheter back proximally pulls thevein 10 and or the subadventitial layers of the vein to detachment sothat all of the vein 10 is removed as illustrated particularly in FIGS.10 and 11.

As the vein distends it elongates until it reaches the elastic limit. Atthis point it breaks or snaps apart. The remaining elongated veinrecoils and shrivels into a sealed mass which prevents blood fromseeping into the channel. The same process applies to tributaries orperforators.

In the invention the vein is gripped along a length of typically 3 cm to5 cm and is peeled away from the attaching layers or membranes tominimise injury.

The device is hollow and is open at the distal end 6. This allows bloodto pass freely through the device and to be evacuated from the vein 10prior to detaching and removing the vein 10. It also improves thenavigability of the device through the vein 10. A pointed tip can embedin the wall of the vein 10, because the pressure of the forward motionof the tip is concentrated at one point. In one aspect of the inventionthere is a hollow tip which distributes the pressure of moving forwardequally around the wall of the vein 10 and therefore will not becaptured by a single feature inside the vein. The means of detaching thevein is achieved by gripping the vein substantially along its lengthalong the device so that the entire vein can be pulled or drawn. Theeffect of this is that the vein 10 will fail at a point of weaknessalong its length beyond the distal tip of the device and further downthe leg into the region of the calf The result is that more of the veinmay be removed than would be removed with conventional devices and thisis a better outcome for the patient.

The catheter 2 has an exit port 11 (see especially FIG. 3) in thesidewall thereof adjacent the proximal end of the device 1. The catheter2 may be tracked over a guide means comprising a guidewire such as ahollow guidewire 12. The guidewire extends from the open distal end 6 ofthe catheter and exits the catheter through the proximal exit port 11.

The device is withdrawn over the wire (guiding lumen) when the vein isfirmly attached to it by pulling the device at the handles proximal toit.

The guidewire 12 may also be used to deliver a pharmaceutical such as ananaesthetic to the region where the vein is removed.

In this case the catheter comprises an outer tubular member 2 and aninner tubular member 15 which extends through at least the distal regionof the catheter. The inner tubular member 15 has a central lumen 14.Support means in this case comprise three support ribs 16 which extendbetween the outer wall of the inner tubular member 15 and the inner wallof the outer tubular member 2 to support the outer tubular member 2,especially in the region of the vein gripping features 9.

In one case the support ribs 16 divide the lumen between the inner andouter tubular members 2, 15 into separate chambers. This ensures that iffor some unforeseen reason the vacuum in one chamber fails it can bemaintained in the other chambers.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14 it will be noted that a distal end 17 ofthe inner tubular member 15 may be stepped back from the distal end ofthe outer tubular member 2. This ensures free flow of blood into thecatheter and provides a relatively flexible tip to the device for smoothnavigation through the vein.

Alternatively (such as FIGS. 27 to 31), inner ribs may step forward in agently curved profile to aid the initial insertion of the device into avein.

The inner tubular member 15 in this case extends to the guidewire exitport 11 in the outer tubular member 2. This facilitates tracking of thedevice over the guidewire 12. In the case where there is a side exitport 11 the guidewire 12 can be used in a rapid exchange (Rx) mannerwhich facilitates ease of use as a relatively short guidewire can beused.

The outer diameter of at least the distal region of the catheter 2 isuniform to facilitate passage of the device through a vein 10 to beremoved without snagging. To provide enhanced flexibility the wallthickness of the catheter is distally tapered at the distal end 6thereof as illustrated particularly in FIG. 13.

The vein gripping means 9 do not extend radially outwardly of thecatheter wall at least during insertion. This is important in providinga smooth profile to prevent snagging on the vein as the device is beinginserted.

Each vein gripping means 9 comprises a hole 99 in the wall of the outertubular member 2. There are also features which are typically laser cutto provide engagement means for engagement with a vein wall. Referringespecially to FIGS. 12 to 22, the vein engagement means in this casecomprises a pair of proximally extending jaws 18. The jaws 18 areadapted to engage with a vein in response to movement of the catheter inthe proximal direction. The jaws 18 in this case define an entry slot 19which faces towards the proximal end of the device so that the jawsengage with a vein as the device is moved proximally. The arrangement issuch that the jaws 18 are biased towards a vein engagementconfiguration.

For enhanced support the vein gripping means 9 extends on either side ofa rib 16. This also ensures that if a vacuum in one chamber (definedbetween adjacent ribs) fails, the vein is still retained by the vacuumapplied to the adjacent chamber.

The grip features may have an opening proximal to a combination ofpointed parts. More than one pointed part facilitates distribution ofthe attachment load and minimizing any possibility of the veinshredding, tearing and detaching. The grip features may also assist incapturing of the vein tissue between jaws.

Many variations of vein gripping features are envisaged. For example,referring to FIG. 23 the hole 99 in the catheter wall may be cresentshaped. This shape or the following adaptions of this shape promote theeffective gripping of the vein while being suctioned or evacuatedinternal to the catheter lumen through the opening proximal to thisshape. In another case illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 the cresent-shapedhole may be further cut-away to provide gripping jaws. The jaws may besomewhat pointed in the proximal direction as illustrated in FIG. 24 toprovide more positive gripping and clamping of the vein or may beV-shaped as illustrated in FIG. 25 to provide attachment of the vein. Inboth instances the vein will be sucked onto the cresent shaped featurethrough the opening proximal to it. The vein will then become securelyattached to the pointed features.

In these cases the ribs 16 may be cut back radially underneath the hole99 in order to provide an enlarged line into which the vein may bedrawn.

Referring to FIG. 26 the jaws 18 may be offset with respect to theunderlying rib 16 so that the rib extends further upwards to support thejaw 18.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28 there is illustrated a distal end ofanother vein stripping catheter 200 according to the invention. Thecatheter has some of the features of the catheters described above andlike parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case theinner tubular member 15 projects distally and the ribs 16 are tapereddistally for ease of insertion of the device into a vein to be stripped.The distal end 201 of the outer tubular member 2 is alsoprovided/tapered distally to aid insertion into a vein.

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30 there is illustrated the distal end of afurther vein stripping catheter 210 in which parts similar to thosedescribed above are assigned the same reference numbers. In this casethe tapered distal tip 211 is further elongated to further aid ease ofinsertion of the distal tip 211 into a view 212 as illustrated in FIGS.31 and 32. The vein 212 has three layers—the intima, the media and theadvantitia. The device facilitates stripping of the sub-adventitiallayers. In FIG. 31 the vein is shown suctioned into the tip, the bloodhaving being previously suctioned out through the tip.

The device is shown in various configurations of use in FIGS. 32 to 34.In FIG. 32 the vein 212 has been evacuated of blood, suctioned onto thecatheter, twisted and pulled to detachment. In FIG. 32 the vein is shownpeeling away from surrounding membrane or advantitia as it is pulledout. FIG. 33 shows the progression of vein removal as it peels awayunder tension at the proximal end. In this case the vein 212 is shownbeing held by small clamps 215 at the proximal end. In FIG. 34 the vein212 is almost completely removed, fully intact as it is peeled awaywhile invented. It will be noted that the vein is note shredded butrather remains intact.

FIGS. 35 to 38 further illustrate the stripping of the vein 212 usingthe devices of the invention. In FIG. 35 a vein is gripped on the gripfeatures and at the distal end as a result of the vacuum within thecatheter. It can be readily twisted and pulled to detachment whilstremaining intact. The vein 212 is pulled and inverted through thechannel (FIG. 36). The vein 212 further inverts as a pulling force isapplied at the proximal end (FIG. 37). Finally (FIG. 38) the vein 212 iscompletely inverted and pulled clear of the leg.

Referring to FIGS. 39 to 41 there is illustrated another device 100according to the invention which is similar to the device describedabove and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals.

In this case the device comprises a dynamic or kinematic vein grippingmeans. In this case the vein gripping means is provided by a grippingelement 101 which is pivotal about a pivot pin 102 which extends acrossthe hole 99 in the tubular member 2. The gripping element 101 has a veingripping end 103 which is engagable with a vein 10 when suction isapplied as illustrated in FIG. 41. When no suction is applied thegripping element 101 is in the rest position illustrated in FIG. 40.

Such kinematic vein gripping features move and lock in a more positivegripping and capturing position.

This is an example of a device in which the vein or subadvantitiallayers of the vein may be gripped where in the force of the vein beingsuctioned into the cather causes a grip feature to kinematicallydisplace into a gripping position when the assembly is pulled in theproximal direction.

Referring to FIGS. 42 to 45 there is illustrated another kinematic veingripping feature which is activated by vacuum. In this case the vein 10is pulled over one end to pivotally move the other end to grip and clampthe vein. In the configuration of FIGS. 42 and 43 there is no suction inthe lumen and the vein lies along the outer wall of the catheter,overlying the grip features. When suction is actuated (FIGS. 44 and 45)the vein is sucked in and the sharp end of the grip feature 103 mayproject out as it pivots. In this case the kinematic grip features areintegral with the catheter.

The grip means may be pivotally mounted on either the lumen wall or thelumen ribs so that the tip can move to project from the lumen surface byno more than 0.3 mm and only after the vacuum is applied. This providesa more positive grip on the vein.

Referring to FIGS. 46 to 49 there is illustrated the distal end 250 ofanother vein stripping catheter 251 of the invention. In this case thedevice comprises a guiding lumen 252 defined by an inner tube 253 whichextends distally of the catheter tip 250. The guiding lumen 252 extendsthrough the catheter to an exit port which may be at the proximal end ofthe device or at a distance distal from the proximal end (FIGS. 3 and49) for rapid exchange. The device may be delivered over a guidewire.The device is free to move along the inner tube 253 or a guidewire.

It will be appreciated that in the device all of the vein grippingfeatures may be the same or different. For example, the vein grippingfeatures adjacent to the distal end of the catheter may be enlarged orenhanced for added gripping. The size, configuration and/or location ofthe vein gripping features may vary along the length of the device.

Referring especially to FIGS. 50 to 53 the proximal end 4 of the devicecomprises a first movable handle 60 and a second fixed handle 61. Theproximal handle 60 is used to draw a vacuum in the catheter. The vacuumgenerating system in this case represents an inverse syringe whichfunctions so that the intuitive squeezing of the handles 60, 61 and ispulling out the vein stripper device with a single hand creates a vacuumthrough the lumen extending into the vein 10.

There is a reservoir 62 extending from the fixed handle. The movablehandle 60 has a tubular extension 63 to which a plunger 64 is attached.The plunger 64 is located within the reservoir 62 with an 0-ring seal 68therebetween. The catheter 2 is attached to the reservoir 62.

When the handles 60, 61 are drawn together as illustrated in FIG. 52blood is drawn up through the catheter 2 and collected in the reservoir62. The plunger 64 is pushed through the reservoir 62 and draws thecontent of the catheter 2 into the reservoir 62. The plunger 64 issealed against the wall of the reservoir. In this manner it applies thevacuum resulting in the contents of the catheter being drawn into thereservoir 62.

FIG. 54 illustrates a version of the device in which the handle 60 hasfinger loops.

Referring to FIGS. 55 to 58 in this case the chamber has a blood outletwhich is closed by a one way valve such as a lipseal valve 69. As theplunger 64 is being drawn up through the chamber 62 the valve closes tomaintain the vacuum. As the lumen is being inserted then the blood isfree to travel into and through the device because air in the lumen willvent through the valve 69. When the vein is being removed the valve 69is closed in order to maintain the intensity of the vacuum.

Referring to FIGS. 59 to 63 there is illustrated another vacuumgenerating means 300 comprising a proximal tube 301 connected to theproximal region of the catheter 2 and a proximal blood collectinghousing defining a chamber 302. The proximal tube 301 extends throughthe blood collecting housing 302. A plunger 303 is movable through thehousing 302 to generate a vacuum in the catheter 2. A plunger tube 304is connected to and extends proximally of the plunger 303. The plungertube 304 has an opening 305 through which blood from the proximal tube301 passes into the chamber 302 proximally of the plunger. A firsthandle 310 is connected to the plunger tube 304 and a second handle 311is connected to the housing 302. One of the handles 310, 311 is movedrelative to the other handle to move the plunger through the housing. Inthis case a movable handle is moved towards the other handle to move theplunger 303 through the housing 302. The system incorporates a nonreturn valve means 315 for venting of the catheter. The non return valvemeans 315 is normally open and is closed on operation of the plunger303.

The vacuum generating means is in the start configuration in FIGS. 59and 60 with the plunger 303 at the primal end of the chamber 302. Thevalve 315 is open to facilitate venting of air from the catheter asillustrated in FIG. 60. As the handles 310, 311 are moved towards oneanother the plunger 303 is advanced through the chamber 302. The valve315 closes, ensuring that blood flows up through the catheter 2 and theproximal tube 301 and through openings or slots 305 in the plunger tube304 and into the chamber 302 behind (proximal to) the plunger 303 asillustrated in the intermediate configuration shown in FIG. 63.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 61 the plunger 303 has traveledthrough the chamber 302 and the blood has collected in the chamber 302behind the plunger 303. The system is relatively easy to use in acontrolled manner during the vein stripping procedure.

Another vacuum generating system is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG.64. In this case a plunger 55 extends through the catheter 2. As theplunger 55 is moved proximally in the direction of the arrow A, a vacuumis generated at the distal end and within the catheters from where theplunger 55 has traveled. The vacuum increases as the plunger isretracted proximally.

Referring to FIGS. 65 and 66 there is illustrated another vacuumgenerating means which in this case comprises a plunger 400 within acatheter 401. The plunger 400 extends longitudinally sufficient toocclude an entire grip feature so as to maintain a vacuum seal. Theplunger 400 is pulled by a tension line to the proximal end of thecatheter. As the plunger 400 retracts to the proximal end it sucks inblood in the vein and sucks the vein to attachment on the grip feature.In FIG. 66 the plunger 400 is shown occluding one or more grip featuresopenings, drawing blood through the catheter and gripping the vein tothe catheter.

Referring to FIGS. 73 to 77 there is illustrated another vein strippingdevice 500 according to the invention.

The vein stripping device 500 of the invention comprises a catheter 3for insertion into a vein such as a saphenous vein 510 to be removed.The catheter has a proximal region adjacent a proximal end of thecatheter and a distal region adjacent a distal end of the catheter. Thecatheter has a plurality of vein gripping means at least along thedistal region for gripping a vein 510 to the catheter. In this case thecatheter comprises an inner tube 512 and an outer tube 513 which aremovable relative to one another. The inner tube 512 may be slidablerelative to the outer tube 513.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 73 to 77 the inner tube 512 has aplurality of holes 515 and the outer tube 513 also has a plurality ofholes 516. The tubes 512, 513 are movable relative to one another froman insertion configuration in which the holes 16 in the outer tube 513are occluded by the inner tube 512 to a vein stripping configuration inwhich the holes 516 in the outer tube 513 are aligned with the holes 515in the inner tube 512. The insertion configuration is illustrated forexample in FIGS. 73 and 75 and the stripping configuration isillustrated for example in FIGS. 74 and 76.

A vein 510 is gripped by drawing it onto the outer holes 516. Theseholes 516 may have gripping features such as edges 525 which assist ingripping the vein around the holes 516.

The inner tube distal end in this case comprises a rounded soft distaltip 528 which may be for example of a suitable silicone material. Such atip aids atraumatic passage of the catheter through a vein. The tip 528defines a proximally facing land 529 against which a distal tip 530 ofthe outer tube 513 engages in the insertion configuration. When a vein510 is gripped to the catheter the inner tube 512 and hence the distaltip 528 is drawn proximally and a vein 510 is gripped by the tip 530.

There may or may not be an inner tube 512. In cases where the devicecomprises an inner tube 512 it may extend beyond the outer tube 513 andexpand to the same diameter as the outer tube 513. The vein 510 may begripped where the inner and outer tube are pulled together at the tip.

A vacuum is in this case used to draw the vein 510 against the outertube wall 513 when the device is in the stripping configuration. Bloodis also drawn out of the vein 513 at this stage. Blood may be drawn fromthe vein 510 as the device is being inserted into the vein 510. Thedevice is then pulled at the proximal end so that the vein 510 isdetached at either the distal tip of the device or at some point furtheralong the length of the vein 510. The vein 510 is gripped to thecatheter substantially along the length thereof. Pulling the catheterback proximally pulls the vein 510 to detachment so that all of the vein510 is removed, as illustrated and described above.

The device is hollow. This allows blood to pass through the device andto be evacuated from the vein 510 prior to detaching and removing thevein 510. It also improves the navigability of the device through thevein 510. A pointed tip can embed in the wall of the vein 510, becausethe pressure of the forward motion of the tip is concentrated at onepoint. In the invention there is a hollow tip which distributes thepressure of moving forward equally around the wall of the vein 510 andtherefore will not be captured by a single feature inside the vein. Themeans of detaching the vein is achieved by gripping the veinsubstantially along its length along the device so that the entire veincan be pulled or drawn. The effect of this is that the vein 510 willfail at a point of weakness along its length beyond the tip of thedevice and further down the leg into the region of the calf. The resultis that more of the vein may be removed than would be removed withconventional devices and this is a better outcome for the patient.

FIGS. 78 and 79 illustrate one mechanism that may be used to move theouter tube 513 relative to the inner tube 512 at the proximal end. Atrigger type mechanism 535 is used to pull the outer tube 13 proximallyrelative to the inner tube 12. Another such mechanism is illustrated inFIGS. 80 and 81 which in this case utilises a thumb wheel 37.

Referring to FIGS. 82 and 83 there is illustrated one means for applyinga vacuum to draw a vein onto the outer tube holes 516. In this casethere is a seal 640 between the inner and outer tubes 513, 512 at theproximal end. The inner tube 512 also has a standard leur type fitting641 for attachment to a vacuum line 642 from a source 643 such as isavailable in a hospital operating theatre. As an alternative a syringe650 may be used as illustrated in FIG. 84. The use of the syringe 650requires the use of both hands to create the vacuum. The inverse syringedescribed above however requires only one hand.

In the invention the long saphenous vein is physically removed from thebody and so cannot recannulise. A single incision is required. Theincision is located in the region of the groin rather than just abovethe knee. This has cosmetic advantages. It also means that thesaphenofemoral junction is surgically ligated and sutured. The ligationof the tributaries is also significant in preventing recanalisation.

In the invention post procedural pain is reduced or alleviated in anumber of ways. Blood is suctioned and evacuated from the vein and thevein region prior to detachment and removal of the vein. Drug deliverymay be targeted to the precise region of the vein channel. The procedurereduces the instances of inflammation and therefore the recovery timeand the time to normal mobility by minimizing tissue injury. Tissue andnerve injury is minimised by the design of the tip and gripping meansbecause the vein is suctioned into the device and away from surroundingtissue. It is designed to strip or peel the vein away from theadventitial layer.

The procedure prevents the vein from accumulating into a bulbous massand from shredding. The device of the invention grips the veinsubstantially and along its length or along a length of between 2×m and5 cm. As the device is withdrawn the vein inverts over the length thatis gripped and peels away from the attaching membrane thus avoidingnerve injury.

The procedure can be referred to as Endovenous Upward PerforateInvaginate Stripping.

The device enables suction to be applied to evacuate the vein on to thebody of the catheter. The catheter has features designed to grip thevein when it is evacuated or suctioned onto the side of the catheter.The gripping features may include a micro channel through which atumescent anaesthetic can pass through to the outer cell membrane of thevein wall.

The distal tip of the catheter may be constructed from a compliant andresilient material such as silicone. A hollow lumen tip of constantouter diameter with tapering wall thickness toward the front has theadvantage that blood can pass through and it also navigates forwardwithout causing injury. Injury is minimised because the pressure of thevein wall on the tip moving forward distally is equally and radiallydistributed around the tip. Pointed or narrow features may snag in theinternal vein topology especially where tributaries are connected.

Additional suction can be created, manually, by using a standard medicalinjection syringe attached to the catheter. Such a syringe may also beused to administer a tumescent anaesthetic into the device, wherebytumescent anaesthetic may seep through the punctured walls of the veinthrough microfluidic channels in the gripping features.

The pharmacology may be injected into the guiding lumen after the devicehas been withdrawn with the vein attached, over the guiding lumen. Thisdirects the pharmacology directly to the channel from where the veincame from.

Referring to FIGS. 36 to 41 the catheter may have a range of profiles.It may be oval in cross-sectional profile. This oval profile maycontinue in a straight line along the length of the lumen.Alternatively, the oval profile may rotate through 360° along the lengthof the lumen along various lengths of the lumen so that it creates ahelical or spiral shape. The grip features may be located on the acuteedges for greater mechanical strength and effectiveness.

Alternatively the outer lumen may have a lumen which is triangular incross-sectional profile. This triangular profile may continue in astraight line along the length of the lumen. This triangular the profilemay rotate through 360° along the length of the lumen along variouslengths of the lumen so that it creates a spiral shape. Othernon-circular profiles may also be used such as a rectangle or a square.Such non-circular profiles serve to provide better mechanical supportfor features embedded along the length of the lumen. The grip featuresmay be located on the acute edges for greater effect.

The gripping features may be sharp pointed features which can grip intothe blood vessel when it is forced over it. This feature may have microchannel which allows dissipation of a drug or fluid through the wall ofthe blood vessel where it has been penetrated by the gripping feature.

The source of the force which will pull the blood vessel over thepointed feature will be a negative pressure or a vacuum that is createdwithin the lumen. The area adjacent to the pointed feature will createsufficient exposure to the vacuum to enable the wall of the blood vesselto be drawn over the pointed gripping feature. The gripping features maybe located along the acute edge of any suitable profile.

The procedure will be quick to perform, it generally takes about 45 minsincluding preparation procedures such as tributary ligation.

Anaesthetic for the patient undergoing a vein stripping procedure may begeneral, epidural or spinal (local)

In the invention the vein is gripped along a specific length of the veinso that the pulling force is distributed along the length of the vein.The device removes blood from the vein. The guiding means may alsoremove blood from the region of the vein after the vein is removed. Inremoving blood the device is removing a source of irritation andinflammation which hinders post procedural recovery. The device can beused to administer a pharmaceutical targeted precisely to the region ofthe vein channel. The device may have a syringe attached to it at theproximal end. The syringe may be used to evacuate blood from any or allof the lumen inserted into the vein. The same or a different syringe maybe used to administer a drug through the inner lumen to a targetedregion precisely where it is required. The device can be used to removeall of the severed vein in a single operation.

A principal function of the device is to create a vacuum or negativepressure within the lumen to which the vein is evacuated and gripped.Negative pressure sucks the blood content of the vein through the lumenand into the syringe. This negative pressure or suction grips the innersurface of the vein to the device. The negative pressure may be createdby a piston which can be integrated into the proximal handle, movingwithin a chamber integrated in the distal handle design.

The suction of the inner surface of the vein into the distal end enablesthe vein to be severed safely without any risk of damage to surroundingnerves. The vein will fail under tensile load at its weakest point belowthe tip.

The suction or negative pressure removes the blood from the vein and thesurrounding tributaries and thereby reduces the cause of the irritationand inflammation in the limb tissue once the vein is removed.

The proximal end of the device consists of a handle made up of two partswhich is used to control the tip elements and a syringe type device. Thesyringe creates a vacuum through a pushing motion rather than thepulling motion as in conventional syringes. A conventional syringe maybe attached to the handle to evacuate the vein and to grip the veinthrough suction for the purpose of removing the vein.

The suction feature which grips the vein has the effect that one size ofdevice can be used to remove all vein sizes.

Many or all components of the device may be made from metal or asuitable polymer. PolyEtherEtherKetone (PEEK) as high densitypolyethylene (HDPE) are polymers with characteristics that areparticularly suited to the fabrication of the lumen required for thisdevice. An improved form of this polymer consists of a modifier whichdelays kinking of the lumen through an excessive bending force. Themechanical performance of this polymer may be improved where in the massindex of the material is reduced and the mechanical strength andhardness is increased. This is achieved by heating the polymer to themelt index of the material.

The device can consist of two or more suction or evacuation mechanismsfor the evacuation of blood and to grip the vein to the device. Oneevacuation mechanism may be integrated into the device design, whichenables a vacuum to be pulled at the distal tip of the device while apushing motion is delivered at the proximal end. Thus one hand can beused to apply the vacuum. The device may have a means of attaching asyringe through which further suction can be applied to grip the vein;blood can be extracted from the region of the removed vein; and/or adrug can be administered to a precise the target region along the pathof where the vein was removed from.

Drug can be administered through a lumen which serves as a guiding meansfor the device. This lumen may contain a drug to be administered sealedwithin it. The drug is released when a syringe type device appliespressure which causes sealing membranes along the side of the device tofail mechanically and release the drug into the vein channel.Alternatively the membranes may be peeled away along the side of thelumen.

The guiding lumen ensures that a re-entry procedure to remove apartially remaining vein, that the device travels along the precise pathof the vein and does not wander randomly into muscle tissue. Thisguiding lumen also provides for accurate and precise targeting ofpharmaceuticals and drug delivery to the site of the removed vein.

Vein Grip Function

In the invention a vein is gripped internally sufficiently that the veincan be pulled. It may be sufficient to strip the subadventitial layersof the vein. The vein is stripped by means of grip features. This may beassisted by a vacuum or suction. Grip features may be internal orexternal to the device. Both of those functions can use the internal andexternal lumen.

The lumens of the device may be defined by elements which are notnecessarily circular. For example, referring to FIG. 67 the lumen may beof oval shape. The advantage of this profile is that it has goodstrength on the acute edge for the location of a gripping feature.

FIG. 68 shows a triangular profile with rounded or filleted edges forthe outer lumen. The advantage of this profile is the higher strengthallowing the acute edges for the location of gripping features.

FIG. 69 shows the triangular profile role catered over the length of thelumen to form a helix spiral. This provides acute edges for a betterdistribution of gripping features.

FIG. 70 shows the oval profile rotated through 260° along length of theouter lumen to represent a helix spiral. This rotating acute edge ismore favorable for the distribution of gripping features.

It will be appreciated that the various features illustrated and/ordescribed may be used as appropriate with any of the embodimentsdescribed and/or illustrated.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore describedwhich may be varied in detail.

1-45. (canceled)
 46. A vein stripping device comprising a catheter forinsertion into a vein to be removed, the catheter having a proximalregion adjacent a proximal end of the catheter and a distal regionadjacent a distal end of the catheter, the catheter having a veingripper at least along the distal region wherein the vein grippercomprises a plurality of holes in the wall of the catheter, the catheterbeing open at the distal end thereof for passage of blood through thecatheter from the distal end.
 47. The vein stripping device as claimedin claim 46 wherein the device comprises a vacuum generator means fordrawing blood through the catheter from the distal end.
 48. The veinstripping device as claimed in claim 46 wherein the catheter comprisesan outer tubular member and an inner tubular member which extendsthrough at least the distal region of the catheter.
 49. The veinstripping device as claimed in claim 48 wherein the catheter comprisessupport ribs extending between the inner tubular member and the outertubular member.
 50. The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 49wherein the support ribs divide the lumen between the inner and outertubular members into separate chambers.
 51. The vein stripping device asclaimed in claim 48 wherein the distal end of the inner tubular memberis stepped back from the distal end of the outer tubular member.
 52. Thevein stripping device as claimed in claim 46 wherein the outer diameterof the distal region of the catheter is substantially uniform.
 53. Thevein stripping device as claimed in claim 46 wherein the wall thicknessof the catheter is distally tapered at the distal end thereof.
 54. Thevein stripping device as claimed in claim 46 wherein the vein gripperdoes not extend radially outwardly of the outer circumference of thecatheter.
 55. The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 46 whereinthe vein gripper comprises an engagement element for engagement with avein wall.
 56. The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 55 whereinthe vein engagement element comprises jaws for engagement with a vein.57. The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the jawsare adapted to engage with a vein in response to movement of thecatheter in the proximal direction.
 58. The vein stripping device asclaimed in claim 55 wherein the vein gripper is movable in response to avacuum being applied to at least the distal region of the catheter. 59.The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the jaws definean entry slot for engagement with a vein.
 60. The vein stripping deviceas claimed in claim 49 wherein the vein gripper extends on either sideof a rib, the rib may be cut-away inwardly in the region of the veingripping means.
 61. The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 48comprising guide means over which the inner tubular member travels. 62.The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 46 comprising a vacuumgenerator for drawing a vein into the vein gripping means.
 63. The veinstripping device as claimed in claim 47 comprising: a proximal tubeconnected to the proximal region of the catheter; a blood collectinghousing; the proximal tube extending through the blood collectinghousing; a plunger which is movable through the housing to generate avacuum in the catheter; and a plunger tube connected to and extendingproximally of the plunger, the plunger tube having an opening throughwhich blood from the proximal tube passes into the chamber proximally ofthe plunger.
 64. The vein stripping device as claimed in claim 46, thecatheter comprising an outer tube and an inner tube, the inner tubebeing movable relative to the outer tube, and wherein the inner tube isa close fit within the outer tube.
 65. The device as claimed in claim 64wherein the inner tube comprises a plurality of holes and the outer tubecomprises a plurality of holes, the tubes being movable relative to oneanother from an insertion configuration in which the holes in the outertube are occluded by the inner tube to a stripping configuration inwhich the holes in the outer tube are aligned with the holes in theinner tube.